Slovakia to boost security forces in response to terrorism

Slovakia will bolster its security forces in terms of personnel, equipment and technical support, announced Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico after the Security Council session on Wednesday.

The measures are to be complemented also by anti-terrorist legislation that will reflect the current security situation in Europe.

"We stand by our statements and are working systematically. We won't underestimate security risks as some others maybe do. We bear full responsibility for the safety and security of the Slovak Republic and its citizens," stressed Fico.

Furthermore, the ministers were tasked with submitting specific figures and financial impacts of the measures in question for next week's Government session. The Slovak Armed Forces and Police Corps will see staff increases, with intelligence services also raising a request to have their personnel increased.

"There's a proposal to introduce a relatively large upsizing of members of the Police Corps as well as a request to finance their special training, re-equipping and re-arming," added Fico.

According to Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak, the number of patrols in the field should be doubled. "The ideal figure to be sure is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800 patrols, meaning that every police precinct needs to have at least one patrol more," expressed Kalinak.

Fico pointed out that 60 million euros (63.7 million U.S. dollars) will be allocated within the next two to three years to bolster the Fifth Special Task Regiment, and Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glvac has claimed that the special forces will see some 200 new soldiers hired in two phases.

Sources: XINHUA